Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 years	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Description and Nature of Business [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	2
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation [Abstract]
Percentage of TLLP's revenue derived from Tesoro	96.00%
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Maximum maturity period of short-term investments	3
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation expense	$ 262	$ 266	$ 276
Capitalized interest	14	19	25
Goodwill and Acquired Intangibles [Abstract]
Finite useful life for acquired intangibles, minimum	3
Finite useful life for acquired intangibles, maximum	31
Other Assets [Abstract]
Deferred costs useful life, minimum	2
Deferred costs useful life, maximum	10
Amortization of deferred costs	137	138	129
Amortization of deferred issuance costs	13	9	5
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Excise and sales taxes	$ 376	$ 330	$ 283
Refining [Member]
Description and Nature of Business [Abstract]
Number of refineries	7
Refinery throughput capacity	665,000
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life, minimum	6
Property, plant and equipment, useful life, maximum	28
Retail [Member]
Description and Nature of Business [Abstract]
Number of states in which entity operates	18
Number of Retail Stations	1,175
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life, minimum	7
Property, plant and equipment, useful life, maximum	16
Corporate [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life, minimum	3
Property, plant and equipment, useful life, maximum	25